🌹 A Night of Reckoning
Yun Yuhua rushed forward, intercepting Qian'ai before he could step any closer and spot the injured man behind her. She forced a bright, overly casual smile.
"Li'ai Gege! What brings you here at this hour?" she asked with her voice slightly too cheerful. Qian'ai raised an eyebrow at her odd behavior but smiled anyway.
"Just checking in. There seem to be some rats on the roof tonight," he said with a subtle hint in his voice.
"Ming?" the injured man behind her blinked in confusion, trying to make sense of the word.
Yun Yuhua nodded, playing along. "I heard them too. But you don't need to worry about me—I can handle a few rats alone. No need for my older brothers to swoop in and save me every time."
Qian'ai chuckled softly and patted her head. "Alright. Goodnight, Yuyu."
"Goodnight!" she called after him, keeping up the cheerful act until he disappeared into his quarters. As soon as he was gone, Yun Yuhua turned back and hurriedly slipped her arm under the injured man's. Supporting his weight, she guided him into her room and shut the door behind them. Her eyes scanned the room for anything to stop the bleeding.
She darted to her closet and pulled out a basket filled with bandages and ointments. Just as she knelt beside him, a sudden knock on the door made her jump. She pressed a finger to her lips, silently urging the man to stay quiet.
"Yuyu... keep your guard up," Tian Ke's voice came through the door. "I think something's scuttling around tonight.."
Yun Yuhua smiled and called back, "Thanks! Li'ai already warned me. Goodnight, Ke Gege."
Tian Ke chuckled and walked away. "Goodnight."
She let out a breath, then set the basket on the table. When she turned to the injured man, she studied him. He must be from Joseon, she thought. She crouched down and used simple hand gestures to communicate.
"Bandage. Your wounds," she said, pointing carefully. The man nodded. Without a word, he pulled off his shirt, revealing deep gashes across his back and chest. Yun Yuhua dipped a cloth in water and gently cleaned the wounds, and her touch was careful but swift. She then applied ointment and wrapped the bandages around him with practiced hands.
Once done, she returned the unused supplies to the basket. She looked back at him, then pointed to the bed.
"You can sleep there. But you should leave early tomorrow—go through the back. My brothers won't spot you that way."
He nodded again. As he tried to stand, she offered her arm and helped him toward the bed, easing him down carefully. But just as she turned to put the basket away, his arm shot out. He grabbed her by the waist and, in one fluid motion, hurled a hidden dagger toward the window behind her.
Thud.
Yun Yuhua froze. The sound of impact echoed in the room. She turned slowly and stared at him, stunned.
His aim… it's incredible.
The man shifted slightly, trying to hide the blush creeping beneath his mask as her eyes lingered on him. She noticed the mole under his left eye—it was strangely beautiful. But before she could speak, a faint disturbance cut through the air—a second presence.
Without hesitation, Yun Yuhua reached beneath her pillow and threw a concealed blade across the room. It struck the second assassin, silently slipping in through the same window. The injured man stared at her in disbelief.
She... she can fight?
His heart skipped a beat. She wasn't just clever—she was dangerous.
Yun Yuhua allowed herself a small, satisfied smile. She had dealt with one of the rats that had been lurking near the rooftops, and for now, the night was quiet again. Without looking back, she handed the injured man a blanket.
"Rest here," she said gently. "It'll help you heal."
He didn't speak nor remove the mask that concealed his face. He only nodded. Yun Yuhua didn't press him. She simply sat down in the wooden chair nearby—and before she knew it, sleep overtook her.
The masked man watched her quietly. Her sharp edges had softened in slumber. Her posture slumped with exhaustion. After a moment, he rose silently to his feet as his eyes never left her. Then came a soft knock at the door.
"Your Highness, Crown Prince. Are you in here?" someone whispered from outside. The man beside Yun Yuhua sighed deeply.
"Jinji," he replied in Joseon. The door opened just enough to admit the shadow of a man, who entered swiftly and knelt once the door was shut.
"Jinji at your service," he said. "Forgive me for the delay, Your Highness. I didn't anticipate someone following us so closely."
The Crown Prince didn't respond right away. His attention was still on Yun Yuhua.
"She found me," he finally said lowly. "Tended to my wounds. And when an assassin followed me here… she threw a dagger at him."
Jinji blinked, startled. "She?"
"A Ming woman," the Crown Prince murmured. "A foreigner. I don't understand why she helped me."
Jinji's brow furrowed as a memory surfaced. "I heard there was a new inn nearby. People say they serve a strange mix of Ming and Joseon dishes. Could this be that place?"
The Crown Prince turned to him slowly, displeasure flickering behind his mask. Jinji cleared his throat and was clearly nervous.
"You seem to have quite a bit of time for local rumors," the Prince said coldly. "Find somewhere nearby to lay low. We'll stay here for now."
Jinji bowed his head flusteringly. "Yes, Your Highness."
Before Jinji left, he glanced back. The Crown Prince was gently lifting Yun Yuhua into his arms. He carried her to the bed and laid her down, pulling the blanket over her with quiet care. He stood there for a long moment, staring at her sleeping face.
"Whoever you may be," he said softly, "thank you for aiding me. But I don't know if you'll betray me or be an ally in the end… I'll have to keep an eye on you and your people."
Then he turned and disappeared into the night under the moon's caressing glow.
The following morning, Yun Yuhua stirred awake and blinked at the soft light filtering through the window. The events of the night before still lingered in her mind and were vivid and clear. She wasn't sure when she had fallen asleep, but everything that had happened—every moment—was real, not a dream. She let out a small groan and stretched, feeling the weight of the night's mystery press on her chest as the daylight filled the room.
"I fell asleep… and didn't even hear him leave," she murmured with a chuckle.
She washed up and changed into fresh clothes, tying her hair back with practiced ease. Another day of work awaited her. But as she stepped into the inn, a familiar commotion greeted her.
"I want to take her out! It's the Dano Festival!" Ae-shim's voice rang out, high with excitement.
"No! Yuyu, stay here!" Qian'ai snapped, frowning deeply.
"It's women's day! We are going out!" Ae-shim protested, her hands on her hips.
"Morning," Yun Yuhua said as she entered. Ae-shim turned immediately and ran to her.
"Yuyu! Let's go and play!"
Yun Yuhua smiled awkwardly, then glanced at Qian'ai. His brows furrowed on instinct.
"You're staying. Tell her that. You never know what kind of strangers will try to flirt with you. Without one of us around? No chance," Qian'ai declared with his arms crossed. Yun Yuhua couldn't help a small laugh.
"I'm going to go," she said simply. Qian'ai groaned in frustration as the girls ganged up on him. From behind, Tian Ke laughed and gave Qian'ai a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
"Be back soon," Tian Ke said. Yun Yuhua nodded with a grateful smile and turned to Ae-shim, who was already practically bouncing with anticipation.
"So?" Ae-shim asked with her eyes gleaming. Yun Yuhua grinned and nodded.
"Let's go," she said, purposely slipping into a clumsy Joseon accent. Ae-shim squealed and pointed at her.
"Let me grab a few things and tell my mother!" she called, darting off. Yun Yuhua giggled and waited. Moments later, Ae-shim reappeared with a small coin pouch swinging at her side, and the two set off for the market.
"Buy some silk, ladies! Beautifully dyed!"
"Family-grown ginseng! Best in Gaeseong!"
"Come ride the swing! Fly like the wind!"
The festival was in full bloom—stalls stretched along the streets, filled with noblewomen, merchants, travelers, and performers. The scent of sweet rice cakes mingled with incense, and the air buzzed with music and laughter.
Ae-shim led the way, pulling Yun Yuhua from one attraction to another—an eager guide in a world of wonder. Though she had experienced these festivals before, it was different now. She wasn't just a commoner sneaking glances. Today, she celebrated freely.
Yun Yuhua followed quietly, a soft smile tugging at her lips as she took it all in: the wrestlers' matches, the colorful ribbons fluttering in tug-of-war games, the towering swing near the river.
"Yuyu! I'm going to ride this!" Ae-shim beamed, pointing to the swing. "Go do whatever you want! Just promise we'll meet back here."
"Yes," Yun Yuhua said, nodding. Ae-shim flashed her a bright smile before dashing off into the line.
Left alone, Yun Yuhua wandered through the crowd. Her eyes caught a glimmer—a beautifully carved jade pendant: a soaring crane and bamboo shrouded in mist. She stepped closer, drawn to it.
"Hello, young lady. Interested in any of these?" the seller asked kindly. Yun Yuhua reached out toward the pendant, but another hand touched it simultaneously. She froze and looked up.
A man stood beside her—a Joseon nobleman dressed in deep navy robes. Startled, Yun Yuhua bowed politely and began to step away, but he gently caught her arm. She looked at him, confused.
"You may have it. I was only admiring the craftsmanship," he said as his tone was smooth and elegant. Yun Yuhua glanced at the jade again, her fingers twitching with longing—but she shook her head.
"You can…" she replied softly in Joseon, lowering her eyes. The man smiled. He turned to the seller, handed over a few coins, and picked up the jade. Then, without hesitation, he held it out to her.
"For you," he said—in perfect Ming dialect.
Yun Yuhua's breath caught. Wait. He spoke in Ming. How does he know I'm from Ming?
Her gaze flicked to his face—and there it was: a mole beneath his left eye. Recognition bloomed. The same mole she'd seen on the wounded man the night before—the Crown Prince. Her eyes lit up.
"You're…"
"Take it as my thanks," he said gently, cutting her off before she could finish.
Yun Yuhua bowed low as her voice was soft with warmth. "Thank you."
She studied him carefully and offered a faint smile. He smiled back—but she knew better. That smile could turn sharp in a heartbeat. She nodded and turned away, choosing silence over trust. The Crown Prince watched her go as the corner of his mouth lifted. He understood suspicion well.
"Wait," he called after her with his voice still calm. "May I express my thanks more properly?"
Yun Yuhua paused, glancing back. Her smile was polite but guarded.
"I'm not sure. I have somewhere I need to be."
He gave a slow nod, sensing how tightly she held her answers.
"Seo Ju," he said at last. "Call me Seo Ju."
Yun Yuhua looked him in the eye, searching for something—truth, maybe. Then her gaze dropped as realization dawned.
"Yun Yuhua," she said softly.
Seo Ju bowed, a polite smile tugging at his lips.
"As in… jade in a cloud of beautiful blossoms?" he echoed as his tone was almost poetic. Yun Yuhua returned the bow with her gaze slipping away from his intense eyes.
"Thank you, but I really must go. Someone is waiting for me." She turned briskly with her footsteps as she tried to maintain composure, yet her urgency betrayed her. Seo Ju watched her retreat, and a quiet chuckle escaped him. So eager to run…
"Young Lord," came a voice from behind. Jinji stepped forward. Seo Ju's smile vanished.
"Did you find anything?"
"Only that they arrived in Gaeseong two years ago," Jinji reported. "No background, no history. The inn they're staying in was purchased by a man named Li Zhiyong from Ming—but there are no records of him. Not here."
Seo Ju narrowed his eyes, still following Yun Yuhua's fading silhouette in the distance.
"Then find him. Li Zhiyong…" He paused with his voice cooling to command. "Go to Ming, if you must."
Jinji bowed. "Understood."